Greens MP Tammy Franks wants ‘hipster proof fence’ brought down to allow small bars to spread to suburbs
SMALL bars would be allowed anywhere across the state under a plan by the Greens to remove the power of a Government minister to restrict where the venues can open.
SMALL bars would be allowed anywhere across the state under a plan by the Greens to remove the power of a Government minister to restrict where the venues can open.
Greens MP Tammy Franks on Wednesday night introduced changes to the Liquor Licensing Act to “bring down the hipster-proof fence” and allow small bars to spread to the suburbs.
Small bar licences were first introduced to SA in 2013 but limited to the CBD. More than 70 have opened across the city.
An independent review of liquor laws, delivered to the State Government earlier this month, recommended extending small bar licences to North Adelaide.
Consumer and Business Affairs Minister John Rau said the Government was yet to decide which of the review recommendations it may adopt.
“We’ll come up with a position in due course,” he said.
Ms Franks said the Minister has had the power, since early 2014, to extend small bar licences beyond CBD limits “but has not done so”.
“There is still a Government-sanctioned hipster-proof fence around the (city) Parklands (but) it doesn’t have to be this way – we can bring down the wall,” she said. Ms Franks described the proposed extension to North Adelaide as “one small step for Chairman Rau and one giant lost opportunity for the rest of us”.
“Why should punters on Peel St have better access to a deconstructed Chambord cocktail than hipsters in O’Halloran Hill?” she said.
“Of course, not only hipsters want to drink craft beers and listen to beats.
“The Lumbersexuals of Lobethal might also enjoy some tapas and sangria closer to home . . . let’s toast the man-buns of Mannum with some boutique brews in Birdwood.
“I want vinyl and wine in Hindmarsh, quinoa cocktails in Colonel Light Gardens and freshly foraged, verified vegan, artisanal organics in Athelstone.”
Suburban councils and the property sector support expanding the licence category but the city council wants the status quo preserved.
Prospect Mayor David O’Loughlin said confining small bars to the CBD was “bloody nonsense”.
Property Council SA chief Daniel Gannon said areas such as Prospect Rd and Port Adelaide could “make a reasonable claim” for small bars to enliven those areas.
A city council spokeswoman said the Lord Mayor wanted small bars kept within the city to maintain its vibrancy.